Christmas Edition of :
With it being Christmas Eve, I wanted to express Gratitude for my Savior, Jesus Christ. On this Holy evening, that's where our focus should be anyways, right? Sometimes [at least for me] this time of year gets crazy and Christ can can be hard to see through all the hustle and bustle. So I thought for my Favorites today, I would share one of those home-made Gifts we made in 2000 that included the Symbols of Christmas. It's one of my favorite Christmas decorations. May it help us focus on a few things that we see all season long but at times fail to realize that they are all there to remind us of the REAL Reason for the Season. {So forgive me but my list of 5 may be a little longer}
1. Evergreen Tree
The second color of Christmas shows everlasting life. The needles point heavenward John 3:16- For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
2. Star A heavenly sign of prophecy fulfilled long ages ago- the shining hope of mankind Matt 2: 2, 9-10 2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. 9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, 10, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
3. Lights A mirror of starlight reflecting our thanks for the Star of Bethlehem. Also reminding us who our light should be. John 8: 12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
4. Angels A spiritual being or messenger sent from God to proclaim, the Christ Child's birth.
Luke 2: 9-11 And, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord
5. Bells (music)
Rings out to guide lost sheep back to the fold- signifying all are precious in the eyes of the Lord Also the sound of music symbolizing the joy of praising our Lord in song.Luke 2: 13-14 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
6. Bow (RED) Tied as we should all be tied together in the bonds of goodwill forever. Red is the first color of Christmas symbolizing the Savior's sacrifice for all. D&;C 19: 17-18 17 But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I; 18 Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit--and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink
7. Candy CaneThe shepherd's crook used to bring lambs back to the fold just as the Good Shepherd does. Reminds us of the helping hand we should show and a symbol that we are; indeed, our brother's keeper. Legend of the Candy Cane
According to legend there was a candy maker who wanted to invent a candy that was a witness to Christ. First of all, he used a hard candy because Christ is the rock of ages. This hard candy was shaped so that it would resemble a “J” for Jesus or, turned upside down, a shepherd’s staff. He made it white to represent the purity of Christ. Finally a red stripe was added to represent the blood Christ shed for the sins of the world, and three thinner red stripes for the stripes He received on our behalf when the Roman soldiers whipped Him. Sometimes a green stripe is added as a reminder that Jesus is a gift from God. The flavor of the cane is peppermint, which is similar to hyssop. Hyssop is in the mint family and was used in the Old Testament for purification and sacrifice. Jesus is the pure Lamb of God, come to be a sacrifice for the sins of the world.John 10: l1-14 11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 12 But he that isan hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd, and know my [sheep], and am known of mine.
8. Dove It is not surprising that the Master Himself is the Prince of Peace. His birth was heralded by the Angels singing; "Peace on Earth" and his last earthly request to his followers was; "Peace I leave with you; my Peace I give unto you,: Not as the world giveth, give I unto you. (John 14:27) Isaiah 9: 6 or 2 Nephi 19:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
9. Gifts Something thoughtfully given to another with no thought of return just as the Savior gave us the greatest gift unselfishly- eternal life. Also represent the gifts given to the Christ Child from the Magi. Gold is a gift fit for royalty. It says to the Christ child, You will be a KING. Frankincense- Ancient people burned frankincense, believing it to carry their prayers to heaven. Its use as incense illustrates His role as our PRIEST. Myrrh- As an embalming ointment it signified that He was born to DIE for the world. In fact, Myrrh was one of the burial spices of Jesus (John 19:39).Matt 2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.
10. Santa ClausA bearded man dressed in the colors of Christmas who delivers gifts to good children. He reminds us of the selfless gifts given by One to all His Children.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
11. SnowflakeA fascinating piece of natural art. The color of this tiny symbol represents the purity of the Savior and is a reminder to seek this same purity in our lives. Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
12. WreathA symbol of eternal nature of love, having no beginning and no end Jude 1:21- Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
13. Nativity A still life reminding us that our Savior was born that 1st Christmas night. Luke 2: 7-14 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this [shall be] a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Here's just a couple more I found this year:Poinsettia- They are my favorite flower!!!Bright red flowers that look like Christmas stars. Known as the Flores de Noche Buena, or Flowers of the Holy Night, which bloom each year during the Christmas season. Legend tells that they were once just green weeds until they were given as a gift of love to the Christ Child on Christmas Eve.
The faith &
hope that the gift would be enough magically turned the green to red in remembrance of Christ and His sacrifice.Ether 12:9 Wherefore, ye may also have hope, and be partakers of the gift, if ye will but have faith.
MistletoeMistletoe is an aerial parasite that has no roots of its own. It lives off the tree to which it attaches itself and without that tree, it would die. Mistletoe is a Christmas symbol of our love which derives from and exists only because God loves us. God, Who is Love, created us in love and caused us to be able to love. Just as mistletoe may not acknowledge the tree which sustains it, so people may not acknowledge that the love of God sustains them. But if mistletoe were taken from the tree or any person removed from God’s love, both would die.
1 John 4: 19 We love him, because he first loved us.
TinselTinsel are the thin, metallic strands that are used in Christmas decorations. A legend tells of a poor, faithful family who wished to decorate a Christmas tree in honor of the Christ Child but who had no money for decorations. In the night, spiders came and spun webs across the tree. Then the Christ Child, honoring the family's faith, turned the threads into silver. When we want to give our all to Christ, but we think that we have nothing of value to give, God gives value to our offerings. God does not measure worth by worldly standards but by spiritual ones. Give Christ your all and He will consider it more precious than gold.Mark 10:27 And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.
HollyHolly plants are noted for their attractive red berries and glossy, sharp-toothed green leaves which remain on the plant year round. The holly bush represents immorality. The sharp-toothed edge of the holly leaf reminds Christians of the crown of thorns with which the soldiers mocked Our Lord. They laughingly hailed Him as king, never realizing that He is, indeed, the King of Kings. As a Christmas symbol, the red holly berry represents Christ's blood, shed for all people including those who reject Him.Moses 1:39 For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.
I am so grateful for the
Symbols of Christmas and that all things testify of Jesus Christ.
So... Today-
What things are you grateful for
that remind you of the Savior?
